Open Applications: The Sociobiodiversity Network Will Allocate US$7 Million to Community Initiatives Across Brazil

The partnership between The Casa Socio-Environmental Fund and the CAIXA Socioenvironmental Fund aims to strengthen local and traditional communities in sustainable local development projects.

In the week when the global community gathers to discuss the conservation of natural resources at COP16 of Biodiversity, The Casa Socio-Environmental Fund, in partnership with the CAIXA Socioenvironmental Fund (FSA CAIXA), is launching a public call that will invest R$ 40 million (US$7 million) in civil society initiatives promoting local development in harmony with the biodiversity of their territories. The Sociobiodiversity Network call will be launched in Brazil on October 25 and will also be presented at COP16 in Colombia at the Brazil Pavilion on October 29.

The Sociobiodiversity Network will support 400 projects from North to South, in rural and urban areas, with up to R$100,000 (about US$17,500) each. There will be two calls, one this year and the other in 2025, each covering 200 projects. This is the third alliance between Casa Fund and the CAIXA Socioenvironmental Fund, marking the largest initiative ever supported in the history ofCAIXA Fund and the largest ever carried out by Casa Fund.

“The Sociobiodiversity Network Project was selected within the framework of the call made by CAIXA for proposals to promote projects based on Bioeconomy businesses. The Casa Fund has demonstrated a special capacity and consistent methodology for mobilizing partner networks to scout projects in every corner of Brazil’s biomes through financial support for social organizations in traditional and local communities,” says Jean Rodrigues Benevides, Executive Director of Sustainability and Digital Citizenship at CAIXA.

The design of the Sociobiodiversity Network is the result of nearly two decades of The Casa Fund’s experience in fostering transformations through investment in grassroots organizations throughout Brazil. Throughout its history, The Casa Fund has supported over 3,500 projects with more than US$30.5 million.

“We were born with the mission of promoting conservation, environmental sustainability, and democracy—because the theme of defending rights is transversal within the Casa Fund. Therefore, we recognize the leadership and rights of local communities through direct support and capacity building,” explains Cristina Orpheo, Executive Director of the Casa Socio-Environmental Fund.

Action Horizon – The Sociobiodiversity Network aims to strengthen communities that develop income-generating initiatives and provide solutions to local challenges in harmony with environmental preservation, as well as traditional knowledge and practices. This will be achieved through direct support to local and traditional organizations and associations, such as quilombolas, indigenous groups, shellfish gatherers, coconut breakers, and peripheral urban communities, among others, across Brazil.

“The expectation is that the Sociobiodiversity Network will create profound impacts in the supported communities, strengthening the local economy, the way of life of traditional communities, and preserving natural resources. The program is expected to promote ecosystem recovery, increase climate resilience, and improve the quality of life for the involved populations. This Call could be transformative by promoting a regenerative economy based on biodiversity, creating new markets and strengthening cooperation networks among communities,” highlights Cristina Orpheo.

The initiative is also seen as an opportunity for other stakeholders, beyond the communities, to strengthen local experiences considering their transformative potential for the entire country. According to Director Jean Benevides, the public bank’s role in this initiative is to instill hope. “The Sociobiodiversity Network will bring CAIXA closer to impactful projects in all regions of the country. Together with The Casa Fund, we will reach remote communities. It is essential to make the world a more inclusive and fair place by supporting initiatives that reconcile development and preservation,” he adds.

Support Lines – The Sociobiodiversity Network has two support lines: “Strengthening Sociobiodiversity Businesses” and “Projects with Nature-Based Solutions.” The first encompasses economic activities that value the biological and cultural diversity of specific regions, such as community flour houses, collective gardens, agroecological planting, and family farming.

The second line addresses proposals to tackle local socio-environmental challenges with solutions inspired by the dynamics and cultural structures and biodiversity of the locality. Thus, generating social, economic, and environmental benefits. Some examples of projects in this latter line include ecosystem restoration, systems combining agriculture and trees, rain gardens, and urban park creation.

“We also hope to serve as a model for the field discussing impact investment, which is currently very vibrant, remembering that we are talking about all of Brazil, and thus we can have cases from various biomes, showcasing Brazil’s diversity,” emphasizes Cristina Orpheo.

Learn More – All information about the call is available at: www.casa.org.br/teia. Applications are open until December 16, 2024.

COP 16 of Biodiversity – The Sociobiodiversity Network will also be the focus of a panel during COP16 at the Brazil Pavilion on October 29. The Casa Fund, in partnership with the CAIXA Socioenvironmental Fund and the Ecos Fund (ISPN), will discuss how initiatives supporting sociobiodiversity projects can promote sustainable development, environmental conservation, and social inclusion for traditional communities. The event will be available to watch live online.

When: October 29 – 9:00 AM (Colombia) – 11:00 AM (Brazil) | Panel “Sociobiodiversity Network: Connecting Projects, Transforming Communities”
Location: Brazil Pavilion

Live Stream: Click here to watch live.